Lions stranded in Gaza cross border

Two young lions stranded in Gaza for the weekend have left the territory ruled by the militant group Hamas and are en route to a wildlife sanctuary in Jordan.

Amir Khalil of British charity Four Paws International said they left Gaza and are travelling through Israel to Jordan.

A Gaza family bought the lions when they were cubs from a local zoo that was damaged in last year’s war between Hamas and Israel. The family kept Mona and Max in their small home in a crowded refugee camp.

Israel said the lions and their entourage showed up at the border crossing out of the blue after it closed on Friday, without prior co-ordination or preparations.

The lions and their handlers checked into a Gaza hotel until the crossing reopened.